Sarkisian takes over at USC

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Steve Sarkisian was named the head coach at Southern California on Monday, leaving Washington to return to the Trojans’ storied football program for another run at national titles.

Two days after USC’s regular season ended with a home loss to UCLA, Trojans athletic director Pat Haden replaced interim coach Ed Orgeron with yet another assistant coach from Pete Carroll’s championship-winning era at the school.

The 39-year-old Sarkisian is a Los Angeles-area native who went 34-29 in five seasons at Washington, rebuilding a decimated program into a bowl contender. He is the permanent replacement for Lane Kiffin, his former co-offensive coordinator at USC under Carroll.

Sarkisian will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday. In a statement released by USC, the coach thanked the Huskies for his first head coaching opportunity.

“I am extremely excited to be coming home to USC and for the opportunity that USC presents to win championships,” Sarkisian said. “I can’t wait to get started.”